In a conversation with Peter, the Savior declared: ". . . and upon this
rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it." (Matt. 16:18.)

"And how could it be otherwise?" asked Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the
Council of the Twelve. In his April 1981 general conference address, he
identified the rock of which the Savior spoke as the rock of revelation.
"There is no other foundation upon which the Lord could build His Church
and kingdom. . . ."Revelation: Pure, perfect, personal revelation - this
is the rock!

"Revelation that Jesus is the Christ: the plain, wondrous word that
comes from God in heaven to man on earth, the word that affirms the divine
Sonship of our Lord - this is the rock!

"The divine Sonship of our Lord: the sure, heaven-sent word that God is
His Father and that He has brought life and immortality to light through
the gospel - this is the rock!

"The testimony of our Lord: the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit
of prophecy - this is the rock!

"All this is the rock, and yet there is more. Christ is the Rock: the
Rock of Ages, the Stone of Israel, the Sure Foundation - the Lord is our
Rock!"

*****

(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel
Doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by Gerry Avant

Sources: Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph
Fielding Smith; and April 1977 and April 1979 general conference reports.